National Gallery of Art Reviews

Loved Davinci's Ginevra, American artists and Rembrandt, and more

The thing to keep in mind is that there is an East and a West building. The East houses contemporary stuff and the West building has all the older stuff. (Stuff = art.)

Be sure to take advantage of their phenomenal docent tours.

A reminder of what a national institution should be. Spacious, peaceful (at least when school groups aren't rampaging through), with a fantastic collection formed during the decades when America's wealthy believed in giving things to the nation.

A nice variety of art. From a photography standpoint the rooms are minimal white rooms which is perfect. You can take pictures from a lot of different angles. Also I'm not an art critic but the art is more on the classical side.

Great works of art and so much to see. I didn't expect there to be so much to see.

If you are into art this is the place for you absolutely incredible heart pieces from many famous artists.

This place is amazing and so many sculptures. It's a beautiful museum and so many great masters paintings live here. We enjoyed every thing this museum had to offer. It's FREE too!

Beautiful works on display including masters of the impression period in Europe. Free to the public I highly recommend going but bring good, comfortable walking shoes.

The East Wing was amazing. I plan to go back in a couple weeks.

Welcoming, great shops. An excellent one stop shop for a wide survey of the arts.

Free entry. Interesting but closing time is too early.

Art lovers dream, you could spend all weeek here. Also great location for family photos

Lots of great stuff, a must see museum.
The building just by itself is worth entering and looking around.
Lots of great impressionists, lots of Monet paintings and they are great ones.
The Van Gogh self portrait is really great too.
There's a marble statue of a woman with a veil, it is very impressive.

I am perhaps biased for having grown up so close to this museum, but I didn't really appreciate it until I became an adult. Now, I realize what a true treasure we have here in DC. There is no charge to view any of the exhibits, the quality and caliber of the works are legendary, and the decor and architecture are stunning. I'm very proud to call the NGA an Amazing icon.

Beautiful artwork presented. Nicely organized so it was easy to find what you where looking for.

Get your culture smarts on! Sprawling exhibits, something for everyone or everything for someone...We took 3 gallery tours in a row. The docents are wonderful with lively stories and intriguing art history. We spent from noon until 4:45 there then took an uber up to Arlington and it was perfect timing.

Upon arrival to this free Smithsonian museum I went to the front desk. The volunteer there gave me a map and circled the things he thought I'd have interest in. It would take a very long time to see it all! There was way more art than I was expecting. But to see original works by such famous artists was absolutely a one of a kind experience. No food or drinks permitted inside, so drink up before you go in. They do have a beautiful restaurant inside.

One does not have to go to Paris or Madrid to see masterpieces of art. It's right here in our own great country's capital! And admission is free. Don't pass the free audio tour. And plan to spend at least half a day to see the highlights....

Nice museum of the arts.
Expensive restaurant. Free entry.

Wonderful galleries full of the greats from all periods...this Lichtenstein could easily be passed by except for looking up while moving in a connecting corridor. Museum's are about seeing not only the lauded works, but unexpected brilliance around them...

One of my favorite museums. I discover something new and exciting every time I visit

What can I say about the National Gallery that hasn't already been said? It's arguably the best art museum in America. The west wing is full of ancient classics, and the east wing is brimming with modern imagination and foresight. It is a museum like no other.

Great museum! It's clean, spacious, safe, and free! You could spend hrs in there and not see the whole thing. And there are many benches if you ever get tired.

Of all the great museums in Washington, this is my favorite. A very comprehensive collection of works from the masters from the Renaissance through the Impressionists and much before, after, and in between.

One of my favorite places in Washington! Do not miss it, it's very cute!

There is a great collection. I could have spent hours and hours there.

Had a great time seeing everything! Some very interesting and beautiful art to see! Make sure u pack a lunch, food is expensive everywhere there! And they have skooters u can rent. I would, very hard on your feet seeing all these museums! We visited like 5 museums in that one day and walked over nine miles that day. And there is so much more to see and more museums to visit. Next time I'm also gonna stay overnight. To much to see in one day!

Much to see. Excellent for art lovers in all its areas!

Magnificent structure, Art inspiration and gift shop "Stages of Life"

Excellent range and reasonable depth. For the price, it's a surefire win.

Very impressive! On my visit also pleasantly empty (except for the painting by da Vinci)

Amazing art and it wasn't too crowded. Went on a Friday afternoon

An amazing collection of art. You could definitely dedicate a full day to exploring this place.

Rich of work of arts from different periods, places and authors. Really worth the time

This is a great gallery of art. Much of it is from Europe. To find the American pieces, walk towards the back.

Imagine my surprise when I saw a piece that I had seen a few days before at the Museum of Fine Art in Boston! Watson and the Shark by John Singleton Copley is such a distinct painting that there was no way to miss it.

Later in my travels through the gallery, a smiling lady working there said hello to me, and I struck up a conversation with her. I described how I had seen the painting with the shark here and in Boston. She said that the one in DC was the original and the one in Boston must be a copy. She even showed me that in the registry. Fortunately, I took a picture of the painting in Boston and the plate describing it. It stated on the Boston plate that the original is in DC and that the one in Boston is indeed a copy that Copley had made. The employee Thames, was correct! She has such an upbeat attitude. It is obvious that she loves her job. Thames made a great visit to the gallery even better!

I have attached the pictures to this review. The one with the gold plate at the bottom is the one in DC and the other was in Boston.

Chill place with interesting galleries. Food is very expensive, but at least it's going towards a good cause.

Not to miss, especially the newly renovated Ear Wing.

Although I never go there .... I already dream and I am sure to adore !!

This is my favourite museum in D.C. The art collections, exhibits, and the atmosphere make this a wonderful and worthwhile trip.

Another must-go place in Washington D.C. with the free entry making it irresistible. A real heaven for people who love arts to immerse themselves in the masterpieces of all human race. For people who do not, it is very likely they will fall in love with art right at the moment they step in. This gallery is extensive with multiple floors that has everything everyone loves. The Gallery's collection of drawings, paintings, photographs, prints, sculpture, decorative arts, and medals traces the development of Western Art from the Middle Ages to the present. There were even few paintings of my most favorite painter, whose skill I have admired for years, Vincent van Gogh. Besides, there was the only painting by Leonardo da Vinci in the Americas. To spend hours here is just not enough to contemplate all of the artworks. It was so worth to come and to enjoy the beauty of art.

Phenomenal musuem, can't think of any other examples where you can see exhibits of this quality without being charged at the door. You'll need more than one visit if you want to do more than scratch the surface.

Tip: if you aren't an art history buff, take a few minutes to read ahead on types of art that might interest you (e.g. French, Italian, Dutch, etc.).

A must visit museum in DC. The collection of French paintings is amazing.

Some of the finest art mankind has ever created on display in magnificent surroundings. And it's free. The section displaying brilliant art by American artists (who I'd never heard of) was a wonderful surprise. I spent 3 hours in the gallery, and it flew by, and I still hadn't seen everything. Of all the museums and galleries on the mall, I rank the NGA highest, and that's high praise indeed.

If you are into contemporary art, west building is the great choice.

Planned to only visit the Dutch Ship models, but stayed the whole day wandering about.

Wonderful collection and Cezanne portraits are marvelous!

An experience not to be missed. For fans and novices. Absolutely recommended!

We enjoyed this immensely just not enough time to go through it all

This was a very interesting place and to see all the statues and other works of art was amazing.

Fabulous ..
Count a half day of visit completely free ....
To do absolutely

If I could only visit one Museum on the mall this would be it.

3 hrs visit is NOT enough, I should have planned a whole day, couldnt get enough

Amazing Gallery...not child friendly so keep that in mind. Touching and proximity to displays strictly enforced. Very difficult for energetic children. But quality and variety of displays impressive.

I think it is one of the best museums I have ever visited. Each room is incredible, the sculpture, painting, in this wonderful room, look even more. Here you have to take the day to enjoy it. I recommend it a hundred, of course for those who like it.

Great permanent collection in the museum and the attached garden. Often better to visit off-season and to check out temporary exhibits.

It's a beautiful place. When I went I was amazed by the beauty. It's good to go with the family.